WATCH: Velus Jones Jr. finally makes big play in Bears’ passing game

It’s been a long time coming for rookie wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., but in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills, he finally flashed his downfield speed in the passing game.

Check out this long reception in the second half:

FIELDS GOES DEEP TO VELUS JONES JR.

: #BUFvsCHI on CBS
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/GpUr7UISpf pic.twitter.com/1OE1UKiKF0

— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022

Jones has been among the most disappointing players of the Chicago Bears’ 2022 season. After being selected in the third round of last April’s draft, he’s struggled with ball security and the intricacies of playing wide receiver in the NFL.

Jones had four catches for 27 yards entering Sunday’s game. He eclipsed his season yardage total on one play.

One reception certainly isn’t enough to erase months of poor play, but the 44-yard catch and run indicate the kind of role Jones can serve for the Bears in 2023. He’ll need to keep building on positive plays like this one over the season’s final two games to get his arrow pointing up as the offseason approaches.